Dani is a college senior studying fashion design in New York City. She lives in the West Village with her mother and aunt. Following the death of her father in high school and the subsequent loss of her best friend, she carries deep-seated insecurities about her self-worth and her creative abilities. When she runs into her former friend, she agrees to a fake-dating arrangement that forces her to confront her unresolved romantic feelings.

Levi is an English major at New York University who hopes to become a teacher and a published author. He assumed a highly responsible role in his family after his father passed away, maintaining close bonds with his mother and sisters. He proposes a fake-dating arrangement to his former best friend to demonstrate his maturity to his ex-girlfriend's family.

Ethan works as an academic advisor at the fashion-design school. He evaluates student portfolios and provides guidance for competitive graduate programs. He uses his position of authority to manipulate students, offering self-serving advice while attempting to break down their independence.

Jia forms part of Dani's close-knit circle of chosen family in the city. She takes a pragmatic approach to life and frequently orchestrates rescue missions for her friends when they go on bad dates. She observes the developing fake relationship with a critical eye and pushes her friends to recognize their own value.

Gabe lives with Dani and functions as a core member of her friend group. He provides steady emotional support and lighthearted interference in his friends' romantic lives. He eagerly supports the fake-dating arrangement and devises small tests to gauge true intentions.

Bella is a friend of Levi's older sister who briefly dated Levi in the past. Her mother holds a powerful position at a major newspaper, giving Bella indirect influence over Levi's career goals. She actively asserts her presence around Levi and views his new relationship with suspicion and jealousy.

Sarah is Levi's older sister. Her upcoming wedding provides the catalyst for Levi to seek out a wedding date. She encourages her brother to settle down and enthusiastically welcomes his former friend back into their family circle, inviting her to dress fittings and family dinners.

Claire is one of Levi's younger twin sisters. She once shared a close bond with her brother's best friend before the years of separation. She possesses high energy and immediately resumes her affectionate relationship, vocalizing her excitement about the new romance.

Rhea is Levi's other younger twin sister. She shares her twin's enthusiasm for the reunion and frequently asks blunt questions about the couple's romantic timeline. She remains completely unaware that the relationship is a temporary pretense.

Trish is Levi's mother. As a widow, she relies heavily on her son for emotional support and household stability. She expresses immediate joy when her son brings a familiar face to family dinner, thrilled by the prospect of a permanent relationship.

She is a highly successful wedding-gown designer who lives with her daughter and sister in the West Village. She provides a model of professional achievement but also casts a long shadow, causing her daughter to question whether she can succeed in the fashion industry on her own merit.

Mandy lives with her sister and niece in the West Village. She owns and operates a flower shop named Daisies, providing occasional employment for her niece. She remains highly protective of her family, knowing the emotional toll of past heartbreaks.

Sandra is a student in the fashion-design program. She acts as an outside observer to campus gossip, frequently offering unsolicited commentary on her classmates' romantic lives and unintentionally interrupting private conversations.

Jeremiah is a former high school peer who appears in flashbacks. His negligence as a prom date sets off the chain of miscommunications that ultimately fractures a core friendship.

He passed away from cancer years prior to the events of the story. His death caused a deep emotional fracture that originally bonded two grieving teenagers. He remains a significant presence through his daughter's one-sided email correspondence.